On Saturday, May 24, 2025, 1000 Hills Rugby held a Safeguarding Training Refresher at the Don Bosco Hospitality Center in Kigali, reaffirming its commitment to building a safe, inclusive, and protective sporting environment for all.
The half-day workshop brought together coaches, team captains, volunteers, and committee members from the organization for a powerful and practical session designed to strengthen their collective capacity in child protection and inclusive practices in rugby.
The half-day workshop brought together coaches, team captains, volunteers, and committee members from the organization for a powerful and practical session designed to strengthen their collective capacity in child protection and inclusive practices in rugby.
The training began with an engaging session on understanding what safeguarding means in sport, emphasizing that it is every adult's responsibility to protect children from harm whether physical, emotional, or psychological. Participants explored the types and signs of abuse, how to identify red flags in their daily interactions, and most importantly, how to respond appropriately and report incidents.
This was followed by sessions on inclusive practices and gender sensitivity, where attendees examined the importance of equal treatment for all, respect for girls' privacy and cultural norms, and how to foster teams that are welcoming regardless of gender, ability, or background. Practical group exercises invited participants to reflect on real-life scenarios they might face, offering a safe space to rehearse appropriate responses.
This was followed by sessions on inclusive practices and gender sensitivity, where attendees examined the importance of equal treatment for all, respect for girls' privacy and cultural norms, and how to foster teams that are welcoming regardless of gender, ability, or background. Practical group exercises invited participants to reflect on real-life scenarios they might face, offering a safe space to rehearse appropriate responses.
In a particularly dynamic segment, role-play activities helped individuals act out safeguarding concerns from witnessing bullying to responding to a disclosure of abuse. These practical exercises reinforced key messages: listen actively, never promise secrecy, and always report concerns to the designated safeguarding officer. Throughout the training, facilitators encouraged open dialogue, allowing participants to share lived experiences, ask questions, and support one another.
The session concluded with a collective feedback circle where each participant shared one thing they had learned or would do differently going forward. This reflective moment underscored the organization's commitment to creating not just better athletes but stronger, safer communities.
The session concluded with a collective feedback circle where each participant shared one thing they had learned or would do differently going forward. This reflective moment underscored the organization's commitment to creating not just better athletes but stronger, safer communities.
1000 Hills Rugby’s safeguarding approach is deeply aligned with its organizational mission and theory of change empowering youth through sport while embedding life skills, education, and protection into every level of its programs. This is not merely about compliance; it is about fostering trust, accountability, and care in every training session and team dynamic.
These efforts are made possible through the continued support of international partners who believe in the power of sport to drive positive social change.
Backed by Laureus Sport for Good, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the International Olympic Committee under the Olympism365 strategy, the organization is proud to stand at the forefront of safeguarding grassroots rugby in Rwanda.
Together, they are shaping a future where every child can enjoy the game in an environment of dignity, inclusion, and safety.
These efforts are made possible through the continued support of international partners who believe in the power of sport to drive positive social change.
Backed by Laureus Sport for Good, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the International Olympic Committee under the Olympism365 strategy, the organization is proud to stand at the forefront of safeguarding grassroots rugby in Rwanda.
Together, they are shaping a future where every child can enjoy the game in an environment of dignity, inclusion, and safety.